ANATOMICAL TERMS
Name:
Learning Objectives
• Correctly identify a given plane by its correct name.
• Relate different structures of the body using the directional terms provided.
• Correctly identify the abdominal regions and give examples of organs found in each
region.
Introduction
A solid foundation is essential when learning any new skill. Understanding anatomical
directions, articulations, planes, and regions are the foundation for learning anatomy.
The standard anatomical position of the human body is facing towards the observer, legs hip-
width apart, feet facing forward, arms out slightly at either side with palms facing forward. When
determining a structure’s relative position, be sure to use this frame of reference. For example, it
can be easy to confuse which side is the anterior aspect of the hands; therefore, one might
incorrectly assume that the thumb is medial to the little finger. Remember, the anterior aspect of
the hand is the palm; therefore the thumb is furthest from the center of the body and is lateral.
The archetypal body planes are frontal, sagittal and transverse planes. The frontal plane splits the
body into anterior and posterior halves. The sagittal plane splits the body into left and right
halves. The transverse plane splits the body into superior and inferior (top and bottom) halves. It
is important to be able to identify a given plane so that you can orient yourself when a specimen,
model or diagram is depicted a certain way. This same reasoning applies to the necessity of
understanding directional terms such as anterior, inferior, distal and medial.
Materials
Playdoh® or modeling clay
Table knife
, Procedure
Directional Terms
Review the directional terms shown in Table 1.1 in your textbook. Use these terms in the
activities below.
1. Fill in the table below with organs or body parts that are appropriate for the directional terms.
Name of a structure is directional to Name of the second structure
term
forearm* is proximal to hand*
head is superior to The neck
Calcaneus is inferior to tibia
breast is anterior to Pectoral muscles
Wrist is distal to upper arm
heart is medial to lungs
arm is lateral to trunk
brain is posterior to eyes
skin is superficial to bones
brain is deep to skull
nose is superior to mouth
pelvis is inferior to abdomen
thumb is lateral to index finger
knee is proximal to ankle
Labial frenulum is medial to teeth
Name:
Learning Objectives
• Correctly identify a given plane by its correct name.
• Relate different structures of the body using the directional terms provided.
• Correctly identify the abdominal regions and give examples of organs found in each
region.
Introduction
A solid foundation is essential when learning any new skill. Understanding anatomical
directions, articulations, planes, and regions are the foundation for learning anatomy.
The standard anatomical position of the human body is facing towards the observer, legs hip-
width apart, feet facing forward, arms out slightly at either side with palms facing forward. When
determining a structure’s relative position, be sure to use this frame of reference. For example, it
can be easy to confuse which side is the anterior aspect of the hands; therefore, one might
incorrectly assume that the thumb is medial to the little finger. Remember, the anterior aspect of
the hand is the palm; therefore the thumb is furthest from the center of the body and is lateral.
The archetypal body planes are frontal, sagittal and transverse planes. The frontal plane splits the
body into anterior and posterior halves. The sagittal plane splits the body into left and right
halves. The transverse plane splits the body into superior and inferior (top and bottom) halves. It
is important to be able to identify a given plane so that you can orient yourself when a specimen,
model or diagram is depicted a certain way. This same reasoning applies to the necessity of
understanding directional terms such as anterior, inferior, distal and medial.
Materials
Playdoh® or modeling clay
Table knife
, Procedure
Directional Terms
Review the directional terms shown in Table 1.1 in your textbook. Use these terms in the
activities below.
1. Fill in the table below with organs or body parts that are appropriate for the directional terms.
Name of a structure is directional to Name of the second structure
term
forearm* is proximal to hand*
head is superior to The neck
Calcaneus is inferior to tibia
breast is anterior to Pectoral muscles
Wrist is distal to upper arm
heart is medial to lungs
arm is lateral to trunk
brain is posterior to eyes
skin is superficial to bones
brain is deep to skull
nose is superior to mouth
pelvis is inferior to abdomen
thumb is lateral to index finger
knee is proximal to ankle
Labial frenulum is medial to teeth
